New Orleans Saints running back Mike Bell made the most of his 36 snaps Sunday against the Detroit Lions, rushing for a career high 143 yards on 28 carries.

Bell's breakout performance has presented Coach Sean Payton with a pleasant problem once Pierre Thomas returns from a sprained right knee. Thomas status for Sunday's game at Philadelphia will be updated during the week.

By comparison, Saints running back Reggie Bush accounted for 80 all-purpose yards on 37 offensive snaps against the Lions. He rushed seven times for 14 yards, caught five passes for 55 yards and returned three punts for 11 yards. He also fumbled twice, losing one on a punt return.

"Fortunately, we won't have to make any of those decisions today,'' Payton said. "We feel Pierre brings a certain element to our running game. But Mike Bell has done a good job now. He's running with confidence and there's a lot of confidence in that huddle when he's in that game.

"It's a good problem we have.''

When Thomas returns, all three running backs will be competing for touches.

"We'll find snaps for all of them,'' Payton said. "There's only so many of them to go around.
"But Mike Bell has come a long ways. He's had a tremendous offseason. I couldn't be more happier for somone because he has worked hard at it.''